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Thursday, April 5, 2012

Looking back at the entire experience, it is all so surreal and feels like a big giant dream...

Yep, as you may have heard, the Jones family was on HGTV this past Saturday, and in case you missed, it, you can view it online here.

I have to start out by thanking you all. Above and beyond the fact that you are already the sweetest folks on earth, it is actually because of YOU that I even knew about the show. Actually backing up a bit, I knew nothing of the show. But I received multiple emails from you fine friends, with a link to the HGTV website because they were searching for America's cleanest, most organized people. I used to search the HGTV website frequently in dreams of finding a show to score a makeover on, but I always left the site feeling disappointed since most shows took place in very specific regions of the country. I stopped checking after awhile...

So I had no idea of the post they had on their site, and have you all to thank for giving me the heads up and push I needed to submit. And let me just put it out there, I was hesitant. I mean, it's HGTV! That's a pretty big deal. And I am just a small town gal who has a love for organizing. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that nothing would be lost for trying, and I would regret it if I didn't do it. So I popped over a note with some photos to the email address listed on the web, and went on with my day.

I didn't really think about it much. The chances of little ol' me getting selected out of a bazillion amazing and talented individuals was slim... a month or two went by and then I received a note from HGTV letting me know they were interested in chatting about the show. Oh. My. Goodness! My heart raced and I may have freaked out just a little... calling my husband, bestest friend and parents for that moral support I suddenly felt I needed. Was this all for real?!

And it was! I chatted with HGTV and they were so incredibly fantastic. The only stipulation I was given was to keep the entire thing quiet. Not an easy task for Miss Loves to Over-Share Jones! I wanted to tell you all SO badly. We were planning a family getaway, renovating our lower level, celebrating our ten year anniversary with a vow renewal and now an HGTV crew was joining us in our home, all within a few days of one another. I would never in a second complain about the sleepless nights, the scrubbing and cleaning and the rush to get project after project done, because I couldn't be more fortunate for the blessings in my life. I was on cloud nine and in awe that this is my life. And the hardest part was not telling all of you, my favorite peeps, what was going on.

Within a few weeks of going back and forth with HGTV, I was filled in on the title of the show. Clean Freaks. Oh boy. They were looking for America's tidiest most organized people. Talk about PRESSURE! Sure, I have a weird love of cleaning and organizing but could I live up to the hype of the show? Our house is definitely "lived" in, it's common you will find dings in the wall, toys on the floor, puppy nose prints on the patio door and messy chaos happening while a home project is taking place... but I guess our organizing systems were enough to qualify us for the incredible experience!

And when I say projects galore, I am not joking. We instantly had a goal of trying to finish the basement before the big HGTV day, and had such a great team of family members helping us install flooring, paint, install trim, landscape and finish miscellaneous projects. And although almost a year later we still have some trimming and painting to do, it was OK that we didn't get it done in time for the show. It simply reminded us how amazing and helpful our family is and that so many of the projects we complete are often a special thanks to them.

So... the hubs and I renewed our vows on July 16th...

And a week later, this fabulous crew landed in our front yard!

Now, you would think that being a blogger, I would know by now {or then}, to be snapping photos and documenting every minute of the day. Queue the whomp whomp sound. My brain was clearly clouded by the events going on around me... or the heat! Oh, it was an awful hot and humid day... not good for the hair!

Although I don't have a ton of photos about the step by step process, I have it engraved in my brain forever. It is pretty hard to forget something so incredible.

Filming started bright and early and wrapped up by late afternoon, and the cameras were running majority of the time. That is A LOT of footage. And wait for it, this was my very first time on camera. I hadn't even recorded my Nate Berkus stint or my first video blog yet. So I had no idea what to expect, and no clue what to do. If that doesn't put butterflies in your tummy, I don't know what will!

That didn't seem to impact the crew though. They were FABULOUS. They knew just what to do to make us feel comfortable {as comfortable as you can with lights and microphones and cameras in your face}, and Sabrina had me giggling majority of the day. Did you see, I got to grocery shop with Sabrina Soto! How cool is that? And the part you didn't get to see is that we actually worked on a little craft project together too. Sigh... it was amazing.

I couldn't believe how quick it all went. The day flew by! And you may be wondering if any of it is scripted? Nope! Sabrina was so amazing at improving everything. She always knew just what to say and when, and her personality really shines on camera. She is an absolute inspiration.

So how did the kids do with a whole slew of strangers in our home? Remarkably well! I was nervous that something would go
down hill, and fast. Three little boys being cooped up and "quiet" all
day for the cameras, but they did SO very good. Our oldest, Preston, was most
shy in front of the camera, our middle one, Peyton, really seemed to
love it and the youngest, Parker, had moments of loving it and avoiding
it. It was fun to see how they reacted to the whole situation and who
the potential acting stars of the family will be!

On the left you can see the camera guy taking pans of the closet office and to the right is the monitor that is watched as they film. It was really neat being behind the scenes and finding out how all of my favorite HGTV shows are created, and then seeing the final result pulled together for the show.

At the end of the day, I got my act together just in time to ask Sabrina for a couple of shots with the family. Sweet as she is, she said yes!

After the crew drove off, so did we. We headed up north to enjoy a nice long weekend away and unwind from all of the happenings of the month. It was nice to unplug and reflect and take in everything that had just happened. And trust me, the hubs and I kept pinching ourselves to make sure it wasn't all some sort of dream....

Here were some of my favorite moments and clips I quickly smashed together from the show:

As I watched the segment on TV, I sat there and wondered how I got so lucky? Lucky to be living my dream daily. Lucky to have the sweetest kidlets, most supporting husband and an extended family that is like no other. Lucky to have readers that push me to do things I may not have considered otherwise. It was a really happy moment for me. And didn't the other "Clean Freaks" completely amaze you? They were all so wonderful in so many ways, I was in the best of company that night!

I don't think I can say it enough, but THANK YOU again. I started up this blog two years ago with the goal of enjoying a side hobby, sharing what I love and hopefully inspiring someone along the way. I had no idea that something so fun could turn into a full time gig, and that I would be blessed with so many incredible opportunities along the way.

I have followed you for a long time and find you so inspiring. I watched on Saturday and loved it; it was funny to see parts of your home that I recognized from the blog. Well, the last few days I have been cleaning and organizing, so I just want to say THANK YOU! I wish they would make the show a regular series!

Awesome post!!! I still have the episode on our DVR so I can watch it again. You did a fabulous job. And, I must say that I am relieved to hear that your house is "lived in." I swore it stayed neat and tidy all the time. I am a real organized person like you (think we have a lot in common), but trying to complete different projects leaves my house a little messy. LOL!!! That you for the inspiration.

I've watched it three times... your segment was my absolute favorite. My almost 13 year old daughter, a clean freak in the making, loved it as well!! Great job! Would love to see them reach out to you more. Who do I need to tell?! ;)

Obvi you were my favorite part of the show!!!!! Honestly, if they had not selected you I would have wondered if they were absolutely insane -- of course you deserved it and ROCKED the shoes pants off! I love the fridge chore chart -- for some reason I didn't know y'all did that and its such a brilliant brilliant idea! Congrats again for your new fame chickadee! I'm sure they'll be dyinnnngggg to have ya back when they do more shows like this [which they totally will!]

Congrats on the show! What an absolutely amazing opportunity. Of course you deserve every bit of it!! You are so inspiring and have such fantastic ideas that they should be shared on tv. why not?! :) I still have to watch the show, but you got to hang out with Sabrina? So jealous.

Oh, and let's not forget the renewal of your vows. Congrats on that too! Those pictures truly are so beautiful. I just can't get over them. All of them are stunning! You look gorgeous!! What a cute family you have. So much to be proud of for sure.

Congrats! I keep trying to watch the episode on the website but it "ends" when she's taking her clothes out of her closet (at the very beginning) and just says "Play Again" and not "resume" and I can't get it to skip forward. :( Maybe you could get them to look into it? I really want to watch your clip! :)

I also cannot view the entire show. Just as your segment begins, the video ends and I have the option to start over, but it always stops at the beginning of your segment. Bummer. Hope to see it soon. Love your blog!

I finally got it to play part of your segment, but I don't know if I saw the whole thing or not... it started with the grocery trip, and then showed organizing the food at home and the boys' chore charts. Then, it went on to the next person's segment. So... I think I missed some stuff before the grocery trip? I hope it starts working correctly - I'm excited to watch! :)

I can't play it after your section starts either! I am so bummed! It would be great if there was a way for us to watch it without it stopping. Thanks for your help and congratulations on all of your success~ Much love from an avid reader!

I had that problem so I just moved past it by restarting and then moving the video forward a little past where it cutout. I can't remember if it was around 24 mins.... close to that. It did cut off something but not the grocery shopping part. Maybe that will help. Good Luck.

I had trouble viewing the show online as well. I finally got it to work though. When the black screen popped up asking if I wanted to play again, I moved the ticker at the bottom just a shade to the left or right and it got the show moving again. It took a few tries but I eventually got it to work. :)

You're house is so amazing! Thanks for sharing the footage of the show! I haven't watched it yet but I watched your clip of your favorite moments! Congrats on the awesome press! I found your blog maybe 6 months ago and am so in love with it! Thanks for being an inspiration!

Oh Jen I am so excited for you!!!! I haven't watched HGTV in awhile because I've become I DIY Network junkie lately. I love the two networks so much even though HGTV will always be my 1st love. Thank you for sharing the link even though I am supposed to be working right now I took a glance at it to not only see you whom I love so much but also Alejandra from Color Coded whom I love as well. I'm gonna have to save special me time to watch this. I'm so proud of you. You have grown so much since I've found you last year. How can I be like you when I grow up? :)

Finally watched it. That stinks that I couldn't watch your segment from the beginning. I even actually got to see everyone's full segment but yours. It started at the grocery shopping but what I saw was great. Do you think that watching directly from HGTV's website would help? :-(

I just happened to have HGTV on when I turned the TV on to watch a movie and saw the very beginning teaser with clips of you and Shelley from houseofsmiths. I just about shrieked! My husband thought I was nuts. I hit record and said "these are the ladies on the blogs I follow EVERY DAY!" I can't tell you how excited I was for you and to be able to see your awesome home on TV. Congratulations! Of course I've watched the show twice since then. I'm a bit obsessed-haha So nice to read that it was a great experience from start to finish!

I just wanted to let you know that I gave you the “Sunshine Award” on my blog, posted at http://scrapbookingez.blogspot.com/2012/04/sunshine-award-my-10-fav-blogs.html. Your blog is one of my all time favorites! Thanks for all your amazing posts and everything you share. Have a wonderful Easter!

I love your blog. I check in every few days to see what new projects you are working on/sharing. I was having a few problems with the link as well but watched most of your segment. Congratulations on your success! I wish you were in NY state so you could come help me organize my small house with twin girl toddlers (and all their stuff!).

Congratulations! This is an amazaing blog and you so deserved this moment! I enjoyed the video you put together and look forward to seeing the entire episode soon. Now I need you to come to MD and help me organize my house. :-) I'm totally going to steal some of your ideas.

OMG! HOW AWESOME!!! You should feel the way you do ! You and your husband deserve this honor to be on t.v. with all the work you have put into your home. I am so happy for you! Your blog is my go-to fave, ever since I found it I have been hooked & inspired to do more of what I already do and do it better!

I convinced my husband to watch the show with me because you and Shelley Smith were on it. He was smiling the whole time we watched your segment. It was like he was seeing the little things that I've adapted from your blog into our lives. We both laughed out loud at Sabrina teasing you over your laminating and you saying "Do you really? You can." when she asked if she could laminate something before she left. It was a great TV moment. Congrats on all your success!

I think I said everything I wanted to say about the show in my email to you, but I wanted to say that your renewal pictures are stunning! Are you wearing slippers? The shot with the kids almost brought a tear to my eye! So incredibly sweet.

Hey Jen, I'm new to reading your blog, but I thought that the episode was awesome! I love your chores on the fridge idea! I'm also just in general feeling really inspired by everyone they featured. I feel like I need to tackle a project right away! haha

Jen, you deserve it girl! I know you're a blessing in my life, and so many people here.I enjoyed watching the show on tv, and having it recorded I can be inspired again and again. :)

Also since reading what you did in a years time, I'm working daily on organizing and decorating my own home. At the end of the year, I hope to show you what I've accomplished.THANK YOU JEN for all your inspiration, motivation, and great ideas!!!

It was so fun seeing you and your family TV! You did an amazing job and it was a great episode! It was also fun to see some different shots and angles of your home that we haven't seen on the blog. I've been reading your blog for about a year and a half and I'm so thankful for it! I hope you never stop blogging!

That was awesome! You were so calm and collected on TV. And I loved getting see your whole family and how you keep them organized. The best tip I came away with:Take everything out of the package after grocery shopping! Now I just need a bunch of containers to do that. :)

How awesome was that!!!! Your home is gorgeous. I wish I could hire you to come to Canada and do my whole house :) I've taken a few tips for you, but I'm SO NOT a decorator! Not even maybe. We currently greatly dislike our home, but I think with enough help, it could be nice. Wanna come to Canada?

Wow thanks for the quick response!!! I read your blog everyday and I LOVED the show!!! although I had the same problem as others with it stopping at your part :( bummer!Anyway, I love the blog and congrats!! I'll let you know how the laminator goes :)

Love it Jen!!! You guys looked great, and looks like you had a great time!! Congrats, you deserve it!!! I hope you will share more of your wedding renewal soon!!! Congats on renewing your vows, the blog success and being on HGTV!!!!!

Oh my awesomeness!!!!! I have been reading your blog for a while and love it!!!! I am so desparately in need of some organization and clutter busting and am getting lots of inspiration from your blog. I loved the little snippets of the video you did!!! I am from Canada and not sure if other Canadian readers were having trouble viewing the actual episode, but I was having trouble. I would LOVE to be able to watch that whole episode!!! Congratulations to you!!!! You are very deserving of this amazing opportunity!Kathy F

Jen, I am so happy for you. I found your blog a few months ago. I have enjoyed going back and catching up. I am going to incorporate some of your ideas. Do you have any good tips for the garage?? I have a stubborn hubby and the garage is a point of contention. BTW, I couldn't watch the entire episode either, and I am local... just down the interstate from you. ;) It doesn't come back on after it comes back after the commercial break. It goes back to the beginning. An error on HGTV's side??

Congratulation!!! I LOVE that show, HGTV and Sabrina...who is one of my favorite hosts! The pictures are beautiful, and I'm so glad you got the opportunity, and had such a lovely experience! You deserve it!!! Yay! :) :) :)

I was so sad too when I couldn't watch your segment! I kept going to make sure it really wasn't there. I am so happy for you and all the wonderful things that this year has brought you and your family. Congratulations too on the lovely vow renewals! Beautiful pictures of you all :)

I loved the show! I think they offered a good variety of situations to show that organization is accessible to anyone. I really, REALLY like your chore magnet "board". I've been wanting to set one up similar to that but was going to use a spray-painted baking pan. You made it so cute with the pictures, and I like how you and your husband have "chores" too :)

Oh, and I use plastic shoe boxes in my freezer! Just on the bottom, not the top shelf, but it works great!

So glad those of us who missed it or don't have cable got to see it! And like many others, it cut out right as your segment started & I could only resume right before your grocery shopping trip. I'm sure somehow the kink will get worked out & I look forward to seeing the Jen-bit that I missed!Congrats :)

Oh my gosh!! Let me just tell you, when I saw your post about being featured on HGTV I was super happy for you! If anyone deserves this, it's you! You are an inspirational being. I am sad I missed it though, I found out about it Monday morning, but I did get to watch it on the website. I am so happy for you, really you inspire me :)

Jen, what an amazing opportunity! I was so excited to see the video, watch your compilation, and then watch the show again. Very exciting stuff! The fact that you were able to keep it quiet for that long is miraculous...it would have been hard to keep quiet. Great job!

I also just happened to have HGTV on and saw the teaser with you and freaked out to my husband that this was the woman whose blog I follow *every day*!! We canceled our plans to go out and I was glued to the tv. I am so happy for you. You did a wonderful job and were fun to watch. Wanted to pop in here to say thank YOU for blogging and being an inspiration to us all.

Jen, I will say it again....loved watching you and all the other "clean freaks". It was an awesome show. Your family did an amazing job. Thank you HGTV for picking wonderful families to follow and for putting together an awesome show. I hope we will see more "Clean Freak" shows in the future. Jen, I loved putting a voice with your face also...I guess we all wonder what each other sounds like. {haha}. Enjoy your weekend Jen. :)

Congratualtions on being on the HGTV show Clean Freaks. I enjoyed seeing you, Sabrina and your sweet family. I liked all of your organizing ideas.

I'm a organizer in progress. Little by little I'm reorganizing our home. Don't know if you know Shelly from her blog http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/ She was also on the show. She has many ideas like you do.

Jen Congrats from Miami florida!!! I missed the show on tv but was able to catch a litle of your segment because some of it got cut off, but hopefully the glitch can be fixed. I have to admit my husband now says he's feeling a little organizing bug, and got inspired watching all the cool ideas on the show, so there may be hope of getting on board to the whole organizing freak world we all live in. Thanks so much for posting the video and one more question, i saw your beautiful wedding renewal pics which were amazing but i was wondering, do you have a tatoo on your shoulder, it kind of looks like you do, and im just curious as to what it is :) Thanks again for giving us with messy husbands hope for the future and sharing this awesoem show with us organizing freakazoids!!!take care Lola

I heart your blog!!! Thank you! As someone who is not naturally organized I love your style - you are inspiring. But better still, you make me feel empowered to take little steps. Since I started reading your blog two or three weeks ago I've reorganized my son's room, started a cleaning schedule and generally culled my clutter. I'm a more relaxed mom and my house is always playdate ready. Thank you and keep up the good work!Rebecca

You blow me away! I am the messiest, most frazzled and disorganised person you will ever meet but I have been super inspired by your blog! I have started trying to turn things around but still cannot imagine ever reaching your level of organisation. Baby steps.... I mean, I can dream, can't I?? Huge congrats on the show! We don't get HGTV in the UK so I'm looking forward to watching if you manage to get your segment on your blog.

Congratulations, Jen! So exciting! I follow Sabrina on Twitter and was sad I missed the show, but now I am even more sad I missed it, so thanks for the link- You came across just as sweet as can be! So excited for you!

I tried to add this show to my DVR list and couldn't find it ANYWHERE! When I did a search for it, there were no search results, so instead I went to the HGTV channel guide and just searched and searched.... nothing. Was it just a special? I want to watch more!

I loved the show and I enjoyed seeing how everyone organized their homes! I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing how you organize your chores! I loved how everyone had their own chores on magnetic strips and each person has a picture on the fridge! Such a GREAT idea! Thank you!!

You were great on the show, and I loved, loved, loved that you use reusable bags!

Have you ever thought of switching to reusable containers for snacks instead of baggies? I have lock n lock containers, these one are perfect size for snacks, and I have been washing them in the dishwasher for two years now, and they're still perfect.http://www.locknlockplace.com/food-containers/plastic-series-airtight/lock-lock-rectangular-food-container-short-0-7cup-6-1fl-oz.html

I am glad it is fixed!! I really enjoyed your segment. I am glad I stumbled upon your blog a few months ago. You do have so many neat ideas. It is great that you have such a good system that works for you, Bryan and the boys. BTW... I love your mail/key center by the back door. Did Bryan make that?? Very cool set up. Hope you and your family had a great Easter!

I am not sure where to begin. Is it weird I got choked up watching that. It's just so sweet how you put it together and no one deserves it more. Your little family is so precious. SO PROUD OF YOU. My fav is when sabrina says, "Say what???!!!"

Hi Jen! I I just want to say that I LOVE your blog! I'm in college so I live in a dorm, but I plan to live off campus during my junior year. I have saved, bookmarked, and pinned so many of your awesome blogposts as inspiration for my apartment in the future.

Thank you for being so wonderful!

I do have one question, which I'm sure you've said elsewhere (because that't typically how it works). What is the brand of glass storage containers you use in your fridge? (I think they're glass....)

The link to HGTV isn't working...it says Sorry the requested video cannot be found. Is it just me? I'm in Australia but usually if it's due to location I get a message that it isn't available outside of the US. :(

I'm watching the show right now, and I'm actually enjoying it a lot. I'm not at all a clean freak! But I am trying to figure out a system for my family. Guess I'm trying to create a relaxed clean freak order! ;) But I have an amazing neat freak tip for you:

As I was watching the show the one lady has a way to stop missing socks... I haven't done this 100% of the time, but it works absolutely perfectly.... If you clothes/ safety pin a pair of socks together they will not get lost in the wash/dryer! You will never loose another sock again if they stay pinned together. And you don't have to spend time sorting socks when you fold clothes! The lady I learned it from has done it all her life and she has never had a missing sock!

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